Thursday, August 20, 2009

Yesterday it was hot here. Really, really hot. We found a bit of relief at the International Fountain. This particular fountain has a water 'show' at intervals that includes a 'cannon' of water shooting up, making a very loud noise. We haven't been to the fountain since last summer, yet Cal didn't want to go today for fear of the noise. It was only the unbearable heat that drove him to conquer his fear. Last summer I was completely unaware that the noise had upset him, though clearly it was somewhat traumatic. Something similar happened this past winter. At the first hockey practice, the scoreboard buzzer (unintentionally) repeatedly sounded long and loud blasts. At the time, Cal seemed unaffected, but subsequently he was terrified of going back to the ice rink. It was only with the installation of ear plugs that he was willing to get back on the ice (with much fear and trepidation). Abbott is also fairly sound sensitive; perhaps genetic? Makes me want to read up on it. At any rate, the water show didn't happen while we were there so no loud noise, and a great time was had by all.

My youngest has also expressed some worry and fear over sounds. WE were told when she was a baby that she was probably just going to be on the sensitive side anyway because of the red in her hair. So far, it's holding true.

The fountain is really interesting! We have two spray gardens here that serve the same purpose, but they are made of much more standard fountains.

my oldest son is very very sensitive to sound. we are actually having our next visitor from the states bring over a pair of noise blocking headphones so we can attend things like fireworks and parades and movies. hope they work!

Lecia, have you ever read Me Ra Koh's blog? She is a Seattle area photographer, and I think you could really identify with her work. http://www.merakohblog.com/

I don't think being sensitive to noise is a genetic disorder; however, I have a child who has sensory disorder which makes him more sensitive to new situation such as noise etc. He has mostly grown out of it, but some children are much more sensitive to noises than others. When my son was a baby I couldn't even run the vacume cleaner or the washer machinge. He hated riding in the car which most babies liked. I remember one trip from Seattle to Portland he cried all the way there. It took me 5 hrs instead of the 3.

what a wonderful fountain~ i remember being in Europe, seeing all of the kids playing in the plumes and wondering why the fountains here were never swarming with children. i'm glad to see that this one is!and i'm glad that the cannon show didn't happen!

The fountain looks fantastic!One of my sisters is very sensitive to sound, and to light, too. And my son is quite sensitive to sound. I do believe that sensory issues are genetic. And that they can be moved through with therapy.